Rugby League News: Leeds Rhinos Face Injury Setback as David Fusitu’a Ruled Out for 8-10 Weeks
In a disappointing turn of events, the Leeds Rhinos have been dealt a significant blow with the news that winger David Fusitu’a is set to miss the next 8-10 weeks due to a medial knee ligament injury. This latest setback comes just as the player was making his return from a previous knee problem that had sidelined him at the start of the new Super League season.
Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith confirmed the extent of Fusitu’a’s injury in his pre-match press conference on Thursday. “Fus has got a medial knee ligament injury. He’s going to be out for 8 to 10 weeks, which is really disappointing. He’s worked so hard through the other knee injury and was in good shape and showed what he could do last week before that injury. We’ll help him through the next part and he’ll be back to finish the season.“
The news is particularly frustrating for Fusitu’a, who had just returned to action in the Rhinos’ defeat to the Huddersfield Giants last Friday. With his contract set to expire later this year, there are questions around the player’s long-term future at the club, especially with the impending arrival of Ryan Hall in 2025. However, Smith insisted that any discussions about Fusitu’a’s future would be put on hold until the player has fully recovered.
In addition to Fusitu’a’s absence, Leeds will also be without centre Harry Newman for their upcoming trip to Hull FC. Newman sustained a lower back disc bulge issue in the same match as Fusitu’a and is expected to miss this weekend’s fixture. However, Smith was optimistic that Newman’s injury is likely to “settle reasonably quickly.”
There was some positive news for the Rhinos, as Smith confirmed that winger Ash Handley has returned to training after missing last week’s game with a rib cartilage problem. Handley’s potential availability for the Hull FC match will provide a welcome boost to the Leeds backline.
As the Rhinos navigate through these injury challenges, the focus will be on supporting Fusitu’a through his recovery and ensuring the team can maintain its performance levels in his absence. The club will be hoping to have the talented winger back on the pitch as soon as possible to contribute to their push for success in the remainder of the Super League season.
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